Obama should say goodbye to youth

The old saying goes you reap what you sow. Someone may want to tell Barack Obama that, although it may be a little late. His win in 2008 was propelled by hordes of young Democrat voters who were enthused by his message of hope and change. He defeated John McCain by a margin of sixty-six to thirty-two percent in the eighteen-to-twenty four age range. Jump ahead to the present, just four years later, and he leads a generic Republican candidate in that age range by just seven points. 34 to 7, in just four years.

I say don’t be surprised. When you run on a platform of hope and change, promising to end the wars, close Guantanamo, reform Wall Street and healthcare, end corruption in politics and change the culture of D.C, you raise the bar. When you continue the wars, keep Guantanamo open, give Wall Street the keys to the White House, bring millions of new customers into the hands of insurance companies, and do nothing to change Washington D.C., it’s safe to say you didn’t clear the bar. You were smacked in the face by it.

The youth are fickle creatures, at least those mildly interested in politics, or even voting. We may comprise just ten percent of the vote in 2008, but we can propel a candidacy through volunteering and their incessant use of social media. We don’t like to be misled or stabbed in the back. How many young people are posting about Joseph Kony anymore? Enough said.

I won’t be voting for Barack Obama, and neither will many others who wore his pins and stuck bumper stickers on the back of their cars in 2008. The hope has dried up and the change is in name only. You had a chance, Barry. You could have fought Wall Street in the name of Main Street, ended the wars, and in general could have decided not to lie. But why would you? Look who you’re running against. Feel free to quote Toy Story in the debates. Look Romney in the eyes and say “You are a toy! You’re a child’s play-thing!”

Maybe young Democrats will suck it up and vote for you, to save the country from the awkwardness that is Mittens. But maybe they won’t. Maybe they’ll all stay home, and you’ll be forced from Office, a one-term President beat by a man who once strapped a dog to a car. For twelve hours. As Seth Meyers would say, “really Obama?”